The Cell C Sharks Under 20s will be looking for more of the same when they travel to Cape Town to take on their Western Province counterparts in a fifth round SA Rugby Under 20 Championship clash at DHL Newlands on Friday at midday.
Coming off the back of a well-constructed 46-18 victory over Free State at Jonsson Kings Park last Friday, motivation will be high, but they will have a tough ask against a perennial age group top side.
“We were very pleased to get back to winning ways last week, we’d spoken a lot about turning the competition around at the halfway mark and we played well,” explains head coach Mike Vowles.
“We knew that if we stuck to the plan, it would open up for us in the last quarter – which it did – and we’re very proud of the effort the guys put in, it really was a good performance.”
Vowles and assistant coach JP Pietersen have been fortunate with continuity, the only change coming at fullback where Matthew Jacobs comes in for Katlego Thinyane.
“This game against Western Province is going to be a massive challenge, they’re a good side who have played well in the competition,” Vowles points out.
“They offer a massive physical challenge and playing in Cape Town is never easy, but we have a couple of plans up our sleeve, we have players back from injury which is a boost and we’re looking forward to the challenge.
“Hopefully we can build on the success of last week’s performance, keep the confidence going and finish the competition well.”
Cell C Sharks Under 20s
1. Charles Gamhiwa
2. Jacques Goosen
3. Munashe Mhere
4. Andrew Beyrooti
5. Ockie Barnard
6. Damon Royle
7. Enos Ndiao
8. Siya Ningiza
9. Bradley Davids
10. Kian Meadon
11. Siviwe Zondani
12. Brandon Wilkie
13. Lloyd Koster
14. Curwin Gertse
15. Matthew Jacobs
Replacements
16. Jordan Mcloughlin
17. Henko Smuts
18. Blaine Golden
19. Tiaan Jonker
20. Jaques Marais
21. Daimon O’Connell
22. Mambo Mkhize
23. Katlego Thinyane
24. Renzo du Plessis
25. Odwa Moletsane